Between Man and Machine: A Posthumanist Analysis of I, Robot

Abstract

In Isaac Asimov’s groundbreaking anthology, I, Robot, the intricacies of human and robotic interactions take center stage, delving deep into questions of consciousness, right, morality. Characterized by Asimov’s unique blend of science fiction and philosophical pondering, the stories establish a framework to reflect on the evolving dynamics of an advanced technological society in space. Robots are capable to interact with human, to interpret complicate orders and act automatically, to help human with dull or dangerous works such as calculating and mining, even replacing the workers. Asimov also raised Three Laws of Robotics to make sure that all robots function in order. Through the lens of posthumanism, the anthology is examined for its portrayal of the blurred boundaries between human and artificial intelligences. Robots and human co-exist in the society. However, due to the limitation of “Three Laws of Robotics”, some logical contradictions inevitably appears and lead to the dysfunction of robots. As a result, I, Robot emerges as a poignant critique of humanity’s ethical and existential challenges in the face of rapid technological advancements. Building on existing research, this article attempts to forge a new perspective by reflecting on the broader implications of the artificial intelligence in Asimov’s works through the lens of post-humanism. It considers the existential questions of AI on a consciousness level, explores the egalitarian relationship between humans and machines from a rights perspective, and analyzes the concepts of “humanity” and “human-like” from a moral and ethical standpoint. It encourages readers to recognize that robots are not mere slaves to humans; instead, humans should view AI with equality and reverence towards the advancements of the era’s technology. Humanity should step away from anthropocentrism, not solely viewing humans as the measure of all things in this rapidly evolving era of AI, and properly handle the relationship between humans and non-humans. Currently, with rapid advancements in science and technology, the world of human-machine coexistence depicted by Isaac Asimov is increasingly becoming a reality. The emergence of artificial intelligences like AlphaGo and ChatGPT constantly reminds us of the advent of a post-human era. This article aims to examine the connections between AI and humans, discussing the dynamic interaction and mutual shaping between robots and human society. This article hopes to provide new thoughts and strategies for understanding and addressing the challenges brought by the age of artificial intelligence.